Allegories of Life eBook

Long after, when the father grew old and helpless,
the sons returned laden with rich experiences and
abundantly able to care for him.

They had learned the great and valuable lesson that
all must learn ere they truly live,—­that
we must give to receive, sow if we would reap, and
lose our life to find it.

XVIII.

THE FEAST.

There was once a husbandman who had laborers in a
valley, clearing it of stones and brush, that it might
become fit for culture. He resided near, on a
fine hill, where he raised rare fruits and flowers
of every variety. The view from the hill-top
was extensive and grand beyond description, and it
was the kind owner’s desire that each day the
laborers should ascend and be refreshed by whatever
he had to offer them, beside catching the inspiration
of the lovely and extensive landscape. Some days
he had not much to offer them; at other times, the
repast would be sumptuous and most tempting:
so those who went each day were sure of receiving in
their season the delicious fruits which ripened at
different periods.

There had been a succession of days in which there
was nothing but dry food on the hill, with none of
the luscious fruits which invigorate and refresh;
for they had been slow in ripening, and the kind husbandman
would not gather them before they were mellow and fit
to spread before his laborers.

“I am not going to climb the hill to-day
for a few crumbs,” said one dissatisfied toiler,
as he sat by the roadside at noon-day, looking very
unhappy.

“Nor I!” “Nor I!” added a
second and a third, until there was quite a chorus
of the dissatisfied.

The remainder went up as usual. A most tempting
repast was before them, of fruits and cake and refreshing
wines, while the table was decked with rare and fragrant
flowers.

How glad was the good man to spread the bounties before
them! for well he knew of the murmurs which had gone
out of their hearts for a few days past. “Are
they not all here?” he asked of those who had
ascended the hill, while a look of disappointment came
over his face.

“Oh! let us go down and tell them what a nice
feast is waiting,” said one of the group, as
he gazed on the well-filled table.

“Nay, not so,” answered the husbandman,
in a gentle but commanding tone. “My people
should have faith in me, and know that I spread for
them all I can each day. My power, even like that
of the Infinite, is limited by conditions. It
is not my pleasure ever to have them go unrefreshed;
but how much better for them, could they be content
with whatever comes each day, though sometimes meager.
How it cheers me to see those who have come in good
courage and faith, not knowing that the feast
was here. Eat and give thanks,” he said;
while a band played some lively airs.

* * * *
*

Shall we refuse to ascend each day the mount whereon
dwells our Father? Shall we, because some days
no feast awaits us, linger in the valley of doubt,
and lose the bounties which his hand at other times
has ready for us? No: the faithful and believing
will go up to the mount each day, and take without
murmur the morsel, or the fruits with thanksgiving.